I think this is pretty much a given tbh! I understand that in Canada Bull is kind of on his own against next gen to settle it and given his history at the tournament he seems to be heavy favorite, but that doesn't guarantee him title even if he plays good there! What if Tsitsipas steps up finally and beats Nadal this time to avenge his loss? What if Zverev finally stops choking and again defeats Nadal? And what about Thiem? I don't think that Nadal has as many chances to defend his 1000 points here in Canada as Federer has to defend his 600 in Cinci! First of all i don't think Novak will go all gun blazing in Cinci this year in order to focus on winning USO this year, which is way more important! So its not outside the realm of possibilities, that we see Novak exiting in early rounds of Cinci or in quarter-finals! And what does it leave Federer with? Bunch of likely choking servebots or mental midget mugs? Meh...Everybody knows, that when Federer's game is on in Cinci he is his own competition! (Djokovic won last year as Federer wasn't at his best and i admit that as Djole fan! But to Djole's credit he is the only player to play Federer multiple times there and take loss like a real man, instead of running away like a chicken by tanking matches early on...)
Given all the implications i'd say - yes! It is very very likely, that prior to US Open draw is revealed Federer will take over as world number two and thus guaranteed to be put in the opposite side of the draw from Djokovic!...
